The U.S. government will reduce air travel capacity by up to 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced, warning that continued strain on unpaid air traffic controllers is threatening flight safety and efficiency.
The measure, unveiled during a Wednesday briefing with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford, marks one of the most significant operational cutbacks since the federal shutdown began on October 1, now the longest in U.S. history.
The FAA said the cuts will roll out gradually: 4% of domestic flights will be reduced Friday, 5% Saturday, 6% Sunday, and 10% by next week if the shutdown continues. The decision follows mounting reports of fatigue and absenteeism among air traffic controllers who have been working without pay for a month.
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“It is unusual, just as the shutdown is unusual, just as the fact that our controllers haven’t been paid for a month is unusual,” Bedford said. “We’re seeing pressures build in a way that we don’t feel, if we allow it to go unchecked, what will allow us to continue to tell the public that we operate the safest airline system in the world.”
The FAA said the list of affected airports, all high-traffic hubs, will be made public on Thursday. The expected cancellations could affect between 3,500 and 4,000 flights per day, according to Reuters.
Secretary Duffy emphasized that while air travel remains safe, the move is essential to maintaining safety standards under extraordinary strain. “This decision is about keeping the system safe and efficient,” Duffy said. “If the shutdown continues, additional measures may be required to ensure we meet those standards.”
The FAA chief warned that as staff shortages worsen, more restrictive steps could follow.
Major carriers said they were awaiting more details from the FAA before announcing which routes will be impacted.
American Airlines, the second-largest U.S. carrier, said it expects “the vast majority” of customer travel to remain unaffected but is preparing contingency plans. A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines said the company is assessing the impact and will notify travelers as soon as possible. “We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to full capacity,” the spokesperson added. Delta Airlines declined to comment, while other airlines are expected to respond later, according to the BBC.
Since federal funding lapsed on October 1, most government employees have been furloughed without pay, while essential workers, including air traffic controllers, have been required to remain on duty.
Many controllers have taken side jobs or missed work due to financial strain, exacerbating staffing shortages at airports nationwide.
